The world's largest yacht club is located in the Arizona desert | Roadtrippers Your guide to all places other‑worldly, haunted, and just plain weird. The world's largest yacht club is located in the Arizona desert Greg Newkirk 27 October, 2014 Just off the border of California, in the Sonoran Desert, is the tiny town of Quartzsite, and while you might not peg a desert for a sailor's paradise, its home to a yacht club that boasts the largest membership in the world, even though it's located hundreds of miles from a body of water. Quartzsite is something of a mecca for rock, gem, mineral enthusiasts (I promise, they do exist), where every January and February, precious rock collectors gather for a two-month-long gem show and swap meet that happens in town. But while that might be the biggest draw to Quartzsite, it's definitely not the weirdest. That distinction would have to go to the Quartzsite Yacht Club. So how does a yacht club wind up in the middle of the desert? A great sense of humor, basically.

Back in the 70s, a man by the name of Al Madden bought Quartzsite's old beer bar "The JIGSAW", and jokingly renamed it to The Yacht Club, even coming up a rather snappy motto: "long time so sea". Before long, the business had taken off, and Madden was selling memberships to the Yacht Club at $10 a piece. It was a hit. Today, membership at the Quartzside Yacht Club only costs $25 a person, but members will tell you it's worth it. Any visitors to the club have the option of joining, and with their membership they recieve their a t-shirt, a flag, signed certificates for framing, and official membership cards. There is one particular perk, though, that ends up being the best of the bunch: reciprocity. You see, a good majority of Yacht Clubs around the country, from the Hermosa Beach Yacht Club to the Miami Beach Intracoastal Yacht Club offer reciprocal memberships, which means that those belonging to another club can present their card and gain access without a fee.

Hilariously enough, members of the Quartzsite Yacht Club began to notice that their joke membership was being taken seriously at other clubs around the country, their one-time fee of $25 allowing them to enter much swankier, actually-real yacht clubs. Not a bad deal. Want to join the weirdest Yacht Club in America? Just head to Quartzsite, and remember to bring your precious gems. MORE RAD STORIES FROM ROADTRIPPERS: Sonoran Desert - Sonoran Desert Region The Sonoran Desert Region and its subdivisons Sonoran Desert Region The region interpreted by the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum consists of the Sonoran Desert itself and the included and adjacent habitats that influence its ecology and climate. More specifically, it includes: Southern Arizona north to the Mogollon Rim The southeastern corner of California (roughly south of a line drawn from Needles to Palm Springs to San Diego) The state of Sonora, Mexico The Baja California peninsula of Mexico The Gulf of California and its islands BIOMES The Sonoran Desert Region is rich in both habitats and species.

Because of our location on the western edge of a continent in the horse latitudes, we have biotic communities representing all of the world's biomes: Tundra occurs on the San Francisco Peaks near Flagstaff, Arizona, which rise above timberline to 12,600 feet. There, only 45 miles (72 km) from the northernmost saguaros of the Sonoran Desert (just north of the Mogollon Rim and not in the sonoran Desert proper), can be found some of the same plant species that grow in Alaska. Coniferous forest occurs in the higher mountain ranges throughout the Sonoran Desert. This Rocky Mountain montane forest is the dominant vegetation of the cold- temperate Rocky Mountains. Its elevation increases southward until it is pushed off the tops of the mountains by excessive aridity and warmth in Mexico. In the mountains west of the Sonoran Desert are isolated islands of Sierran (as in Sierra Nevada) coniferous forest, characterized by different species of conifers and other plants. Temperate deciduous forest is strictly represented only by scattered aspen groves and ribbons of riparian trees.

But the foothills and lower mountain slopes of the Sonoran Desert's sky islands, and mountains east of the Sonoran Desert are wooded with oaks and pines, a mixture of coniferous forest and temperate deciduous forest tree types. This Madrean evergreen woodland (also called Mexican oak-pine woodland) is a warm-temperate community of the Sierra Madre Occidental. It extends as far north as central Arizona, where it is squeezed out by the cool-temperate Rocky Mountain forests above it and the more arid grassland and desert below. Grassland in our region is mostly the semidesert grassland community, intermediate between desert and Great Plains grassland. Desert grassland or chaparral border the northern Sonoran Desert on the east and also occur on the lower slopes of the sky islands. Chaparral borders the western edge of the Sonoran Desert in California and northern Baja California, the northeastern edge along the base of the Mogollon Rim of Arizona, and occurs in small patches on the higher sky islands. Desert is the driest biome. Our center of interest is the Sonoran Desert.

The other three North American deserts - the Mohave, Chihuahuan, and Great Basin, also occur in Arizona, the only state to have all four. See below for more details . Thornscrub looks like a wet desert, and that's essentially what it is. It is intermediate between the desert and tropical forest biomes. The Sonoran Desert gradually merges into thornscrub in south-central Sonora and southern Baja Calfornia, Mexico. Part of the Sonoran Desert was recently reclassified as thornscrub, and other parts may soon be as well. Tropical Forest is represented by tropical deciduous forest in southern Sonora and the cape of Baja California Sur. It's verdant during the brief summer rainy season and dry and mostly leafless the other nine months. Riparian Communities are not biomes. Though they could be considered isolated ribbons of deciduous forest, they are better viewed as a unique habitat type. Several perennial and intermittent rivers flow through our region, the biggest being the Colorado. Desert ecologists include the vegetation in washes (arroyos) as "dry riparian" habitats.

Though they may carry water only a few days a year or even less, they share most of their defining characteristics with traditional "wet" riparian habitats. They are chronically disturbed, unstable sites where water and nutrients are harvested and concentrated from larger areas (watersheds). Like wet rivers, washes are corridors for dispersal of plants and animals that need more water than the surrounding habitat. THE NORTH AMERICAN DESERTS North America has four major deserts: Great Basin, Mohave, Chihuahuan and Sonoran. Though all are defined primarily by their aridity, their different temperature and precipitation patterns have created distinctly dissimilar biotic communities. The Great Basin Desert is both the highest and northernmost of the four and has very cold winters, which limit the growing season to the summer regardless of seasonal precipitation. Vegetation is dominated by a few species of low, small-leafed shrubs; there are almost no trees or succulents and not many annuals. The indicator (most common or conspicuous) plant is big sagebrush (Artemisia tridentata), which often grows in nearly pure stands over huge vistas.

(Such cold shrub-deserts in the Old World are called steppes.) The Mohave Desert is characterized largely by its winter rainy season. Hard freezes are common but not as severe as in the Great Basin Desert. The perennial vegetation is composed mostly of low shrubs; annuals carpet the ground in wet years. There are many species of these two life forms, but few succulents and trees grow there. The only common tree species is the characteristic Joshua Tree (Yucca brevifolia), an arborescent (treelike) yucca that forms extensive woodlands above 3000 feet (900 m) elevation. Though the Chihuahuan Desert is the southernmost, it lies at a fairly high elevation and there is no barrier to arctic air masses, so hard winter freezes are common. Its vegetation consists of many species of low shrubs, leaf succulents, and small cacti. Trees are rare. In the northern end there is occasionally enough winter rain to support massive blooms of spring annuals. THE SONORAN DESERT The Sonoran Desert as currently defined covers approximately 100,000 square miles (260,000 sq.

km.) and includes most of the southern half of Arizona, southeastern California, most of the Baja California peninsula, the islands of the Gulf of California, and much of the state of Sonora, Mexico. It is lush in comparison to most other deserts. Two visually dominant life forms of plants distinguish the Sonoran Desert from the other North American deserts: legume trees and columnar cacti. It also supports many other life forms encompassing a rich spectrum of some 2,000 species of plants. The amount and seasonality of rainfall are defining characteristics of the Sonoran Desert. Much of the area has a biseasonal rainfall pattern, though even during the rainy seasons most days are sunny. From December to March frontal storms from North Pacific Ocean occasionally bring widespread, gentle rain to the northwestern areas. From July to mid-September, the summer monsoon brings surges of wet tropical air and frequent but localized violent thunderstorms. The Sonoran Desert prominently differs from the other three North American Deserts in having mild winters; most of the area rarely experiences frost. About half of the biota is tropical in origin, with life cycles attuned to the brief summer rainy season.

The winter rains, when ample, produce huge populations of annuals (which comprise half of the species in our flora). Plains of Sonora This small region of central Sonora is a series of very broad valleys between widely separated ranges. It supports denser vegetation than Arizona Upland because there is more rain (with summer rain dominant) and the soils deeper and finer. It contains most of the same species as Arizona Upland, plus some more tropical elements because frost is less frequent and less severe. There are abundant legume trees, especially mesquite, and relatively few columnar cacti. The few hills in this region support islands of thornscrub. Most of this subdivision has been converted to agriculture in the last few decades. If Arizona Upland is reclassified as thornscrub, the wetter Plains of Sonora subdivision would have to join it. Central Gulf Coast The Central Gulf Coast occupies a strip along both sides of the Gulf of California. Extreme aridity determines the distinctive appearance of this subdivision. It straddles the horse latitude belt, and desert vegetation grows right to the seashore.

Small shrubs are nearly absent; their shallow root systems and lack of water storage cannot sustain them through the droughts which commonly last for several years. Dominating the vegetation are large stem-succulents, particularly the massive cardón (Pachycereus pringlei), and trees such as palo verde, ocotillo, ironwood, elephant trees (Bursera spp.), and limberbush (Jatropha spp.) which are leafless most of the time. The average annual rainfall of less than five inches (125 mm) occurs mostly in summer, though not dependably enough to call it a rainy season. Vizcaino The Vizcaino subdivision is on the Pacific side of the central third of the Baja California peninsula. Though rainfall is very low, cool, humid sea breezes with frequent fog ameliorate the aridity. Winter rain predominates and averages less than five inches (125 mm). This subdivision contains some of the most bizarre plants and eerily beautiful landscapes in the world.

There are fields of huge, sculpted white granite boulders or black lava cliffs that shelter botanical apparitions such as boojums (Fouquieria columnaris), twisted and swollen Baja elephant trees (Pachycormus discolor), 60-foot tall cardónes (Pachycereus pringlei, a giant relative of saguaro), strangler figs (Ficus petiolaris palmeri) that grow on rocks, and blue palm trees (Brahea armata). In stark contrast, the coastal Vizcaino Plain is a flat, cool, fog desert of shrubs barely a foot tall, with occasional mass blooms of annual species. Magdalena Located in coastal Baja California south of the Vizcaino, it is similar in appearance to the Vizcaino but the species are somewhat different. Most of its meager rainfall comes in summer and the aridity is modified by Pacific breezes. The bleak coastal Magdalena Plain's only conspicuous plant is the weird creeping devil cactus (Stenocereus eruca), but inland the rocky slopes are rich and dense with trees, succulent shrubs, and cacti.

This was Shreve's seventh subdivision of the Sonoran Desert. It has since been reclassified as foothills thornscrub community and is no longer part of the desert biome because of its greater rainfall, taller trees and cacti, and denser vegetation. © 2017 Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Sonoran Desert: The Animal Files 311,000 sq. km (120,000 sq. miles) The Desert Environment The Sonoran Desert is one of the largest and hottest deserts in North America and it covers an area of 311,000 sq. kms (120,000 sq. miles). It is situated in south western USA in the states of Arizona and California, and in Mexico in the states of Sonora, Sinaloa and Baja California. The landscape of the Sonoran Desert is varied; broad, sandy or rocky plains are broken up by numerous barren mountains. There are two major rivers which cross the desert, the Colorado River and its tributary the Gila River and during storms small desert streams are formed but these quickly dry out.

Sub-regions The sub-regions of the Sonoran Desert include: Colorado Desert Yuma Desert Climate The Sonoran Desert is one of the hottest in North America. In summer the air temperatures routinely exceed 40°C (104°F) and often reach 48°C (118°F). These high temperatures interact with cool moist air in the atmosphere and they produce the violent thunderstorms of the summer monsoons. Winter temperatures are generally mild. Valley bottoms are usually free from frost, but the surrounding mountains may have dense snow cover at high elevations and north and east aspects. During December and January there is frequent, low intensity rainfall. Annual precipitation in the Sonoran Desert averages from 76 - 500 mm (3 - 20 inches) depending on location. Plant Life The Sonoran Desert is abundant in shrubs and trees that have adapted to survive in hot, arid conditions. Their probing roots take as much moisture as possible from the soil, and they generally have small, waxy leaves that minimize water loss. Cacti are among the most striking desert plants.

They have spines that are actually modified leaves and after a rainstorm their roots absorb water very quickly and it is stored for long periods within their stems. The Sonoran Desert is the only place in the world where the famous Saguaro Cactus grows in the wild. Other species of cacti include cholla, bevertail, hedgehog, fishhook, prickly pear, night blooming cereus and organ pipe. Creosote bush, bur sage, indigo bush, and mormon tea are examples of shrubs that may be found and wildflowers of the Sonoran Desert include desert sand verbena, desert sunflower, evening primroses, desert marigold and bluebonnet. Wildlife Much of the wildlife of the Sonoran Desert has adapted to cope with the harsh heat and periods of drought. Some species shelter underground during the day and emerge at night to feed, while others remain underground for months and emerge after seasonal rainfall has improved their food supply. Invertebrates - the Sonoran Desert is home to a vast number of species of invertebrate which include spiders, scorpions, beetles, mites, wasps and bees.

Reptiles - the most impressive reptile that can be found in the Sonoran desert is the venomous Gila Monster, although they are generally shy and retiring creatures. Other reptiles include the desert iguana, collard lizard, zebra-tailed lizard, sonoran sidewinder, western diamondback rattlesnake , sonoran mountain kingsnake and the black mexican kingsnake. Birds - one of the most remarkable birds that can be found in the desert is the greater roadrunner. They dart across the ground at up to 25 km/hr and they capture a variety of prey including venomous rattlesnakes. The gila woodpecker and gilded flicker often drill their nest holes in the giant saguaro cactus and these are sometimes taken over later by elf owls. Other species of bird include anna's hummingbird , costa's hummingbird , canyon wren, lawrence's goldfinch, spotted owl, lucy's warbler, cactus wren, mourning dove, sage sparrow, bendire's thrasher and grey vireo.

Mammals - Over 60 species of mammals can be found in the Sonoran Desert and these include predators such as the kit fox and the coyote . Other species of mammals include the antelope squirrel, desert pocket mouse, desert kangaroo rat, round-tailed ground squirrel, ringtail , lesser long-nosed bat, desert bighorn sheep, and the black-tailed jackrabbit. Amphibians - there are around 20 species of amphibians found in the Sonoran Desert which include the colorado river toad . Interesting Facts The Sonoran Desert is home to over 17 contemporary Native American tribes. They have settlements at American Indian Reservations in California and Arizona as well as populations in Mexico. The largest city in the Sonoran Desert is Phoenix, Arizona which has a population of approximately 4.3 million people. There are many parks, conservation areas, research facilities etc in the Sonoran Desert and these include: Arizona - Sonora Desert Museum Sonoran Desert | Desert Mountain Map & Directions The Sonoran Desert – A Natural Wonder Desert Mountain is a gated, 8,000-acre residential and recreational community nestled within the dramatic high Sonoran desert landscape in the foothills of North Scottsdale’s Continental Mountain range.

Recognized as a Platinum Club of America and a Platinum Club of the World, the award-winning community near Carefree and Cave Creek is distinguished by the preservation of its natural desert surroundings, its distinctive golf course landscaping and the spectacular Southwestern architecture of its clubhouses and homes. To learn more about the Sonoran Desert, click AREA ATTRACTIONS: THE BEST OF THE VALLEY IS JUST MINUTES AWAY! Carefree Just up the road from Desert Mountain on the edge of the Tonto National Forest, this charming village offers shopping at Southwestern galleries, quaint restaurants and an annual schedule of special events and festivals for the local community and winter visitors. The Boulders Resort The leading travel publications in the nation have consistently ranked this luxurious resort and spa one of the top vacation destinations in the country—perfect for impressing out-of-town guests. Cave Creek For a taste of the West, this town can’t be beat for down-home cooking and nightly entertainment at its rustic Western bars and restaurants. Try Cave Creek Smokehouse or The Horny Toad, two landmarks where tourists and locals go for barbecue, beer and a friendly atmosphere. Native American displays and prehistoric artifacts at the Cave Creek Museum will fill you in on the history of the area.

For the more adventurous type, try Harold’s or Buffalo Chip which have live music and dancing on weekends. La Mirada and Desert Village These upscale shopping centers located at the intersection of Pinnacle Peak and Pima roads in Scottsdale, feature casual and fine dining, beauty salons, fashion boutiques, banks, grocery stores and pharmacies. Four Seasons Resort Situated in the foothills of Pinnacle Peak, this luxurious resort features Southwestern-style casitas, 24-hour concierge, a kid’s program plus fitness facilities, horseback riding, hiking, spa services with 14 treatment rooms, golf and other amenities. Scottsdale 101 Just 20 minutes from Desert Mountain, this expansive shopping center at Scottsdale Road and the 101 Freeway is a shopping and entertainment mecca with a Harkins Theater, Outback Steakhouse, Starbucks and more. The Promenade A lifestyle shopping center that has it all-from home decorating to dining. Retail establishments like Lowe’s Home Improvement and Cost Plus World Market have what you need for the home while a selection of restaurants feature casual and fine dining.

Kierland Commons This popular and stylish retail district at Scottsdale Road and Greenway Parkway is a shopper’s paradise with upscale stores including Crate & Barrel, Restoration Hardware and Z Gallery, to name a few. Chic boutiques feature Ann Taylor Loft and Tommy Bahama. For decadent dining, try the Cheesecake Factory, PF Changs or Zinc Bistro. Fashion Square With 225 clothing, home furnishing and novelty shops, this upscale mall in Scottsdale is the largest in Arizona. Nordstrom, Neiman Marcus, Tiffany & Co., and Williams-Sonoma, are just some of the featured stores. In addition, a cinema and several popular eateries are located here. Talking Stick Resort Arena/Chase Field Home to the Phoenix Suns, the 20,000-seat Talking Stick Resort Arena is not only a great place to take in a basketball game but a comfortable event venue where musical performances by national touring acts are staged. A few blocks away is Chase Field, where the Arizona Diamondbacks play. This stadium, with a climate-controlled environment, retractable roof and signature swimming pool, can accommodate more than 49,000 cheering fans. Both are located just 36 miles away in downtown Phoenix.

Health Care Some of the best medical facilities in the West are within a short distance from Desert Mountain including Desert Foothills Medical Center, Mayo Clinic Hospital and Scottsdale Memorial North Hospital. Airports Desert Mountain is serviced by two local airports: Scottsdale Municipal Airport, which permits private aircraft, and Sky Harbor International Airport in Phoenix, both easily accessed through the Valley’s streamlined freeway system. Nicklaus Golf Deserts of the World Deserts of the World The table below compares the sizes of the world's largest deserts. See Types of Deserts for more information about individual deserts throughout the world. North Central Mexico and Southwestern United States (Arizona, New Mexico, Texas) 175,000 mi2 High plateau covered by stony areas and sandy soil. Many mountains and mesas. cacti, chihuahuan flax, creosote bush, lechuguilla, mesquite, mexican gold poppy coyote, diamondback rattlesnake, javelina, kangaroo rat, roadrunner Largest North American desert. Big Bend National Park located here; more species of birds seen in Big Bend than in any other National Park in the U.S.

Great Basin Western United States (Idaho, Nevada, Oregon, and Utah) 158,000 mi2 411,000 km2 Covered by sand, gravel, and clay. Many moutains ranges, basins, and large expanses of salt flats. greasewood, sagebrush, shadscale bighorn sheep, jackrabbit, pocket mouse, poor-will, pronghorn antelope, sage thrasher, side-blotched lizard Great Salt Lake located here. Mojave Southwestern United States (Arizona, California, Nevada) 25,000 mi2 65,000 km2 Covered by sandy soil, gravelly pavement, and salt flats. creosote bush, desert sand verbena, joshua tree, mesquite bighorn sheep, chuckwalla, coyote, jackrabbit, sidewinder, zebra-tailed lizard Death Valley located in this desert. Sonoran Southwestern United States (Arizona, California) and parts of Mexico (Baja Peninsula, Sonora) 120,000 mi2 312,000 km2 Covered by sand, soil, and gravelly pavement.

Gets more rain than any other North American desert. agave, coulter's globemallow, creosote bush, desert mariposa lily, mesquite, ocotillo, paloverde, saguaro coati, elf owl, gila monster, kangaroo rat, pack rat, roadrunner, sidewinder, tarantula Most complex animal-plant community of any desert. Where is Phoenix, AZ? / Where is Phoenix, AZ Located in The World? / Phoenix Map - WorldAtlas.com Description This beautiful western city is the capitol of Arizona. Phoenix sits with its partner city of Scottsdale to the north of the breathtaking Sonoran Desert . The hot weather here is tempered by a total lack of humidity and pleasant evening breezes. Phoenix, Arizona features rugged desert heartiness and modern bohemian culture. Art galleries, museums, botanical gardens along with its many other attractions offer diverse opportunities for kids and adults of all ages to make a Phoenix vacation a great choice for the family. The neighboring city of Scottsdale is home to numerous golf resorts, health spas and dude ranches. The greater Phoenix area, including Mesa and Tempe, has become a haven for retirees seeking an active lifestyle in beautiful surroundings. Did you know?

Phoenix is one of the largest cities in the United States. South Mountain Park covers 17,000 acres and is the largest city park in the United States . The park is perfect for barbecues, trail rides, scenic drives or mountain biking. Phoenix, also known as the Valley of the Sun, is home to cowboys, beautiful landscapes with mountains and cacti, along with resorts, spas, stadiums and arenas. Attractions This booming city is the perfect base for all kinds of outdoor adventures. Journey into the Sonoran Desert with an experienced local guide to see the brilliantly colored sandstone formations and towering Saguaro Cacti. The Phoenix art community hosts a city Art Walk every Thursday evening with the various artists' galleries featuring new themes every week. Following are a few of the many great Phoenix attractions to check out on your Arizona vacation . Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Overview and History - a Zoo, Bontanical Garden, Museum and Art Gallery in Tucson AZ Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Overview and History The mission of the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is to inspire people to live in harmony with the natural world by fostering love, appreciation, and understanding of the Sonoran Desert.

The Desert Museum is ranked on TripAdvisor.com as one of the Top 10 Museums in the country and the #1 Tucson attraction. Unlike most museums, about 85% of the experience is outdoors! The 98 acre Desert Museum is a fusion experience: zoo, botanical garden, art gallery, natural history museum, and aquarium. 21 interpreted acres with two miles of walking paths through various desert habitats 230 animal species 1,200 types of plants — 56,000 individual specimens One of the world's most comprehensive regional mineral collections Beyond merely an attraction, the Museum's conservation and research programs are providing important information to help conserve the Sonoran Desert region. The Desert Museum's Art Institute inspires conservation through art education and gallery exhibits. The Museum's publishing division, ASDM Press , has produced over 40 books and guides on the natural and cultural history of the Sonoran Desert region. History Desert Museum Vignettes Founded in 1952, the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum is widely recognized throughout the world as a model institution for innovative presentation and interpretation of native plants and animals featured together in ecological exhibits.

The Museum is regularly listed as one of the top ten zoological parks in the world due to its unique approach in interpreting the complete natural history of a single region (in our case this is the Sonoran Desert and adjacent ecosystems). This represents a significant achievement, as the Museum’s collections and size are smaller than many of its counterparts. Not a “museum” in the usual sense, it is an unparalleled composite of plant, animal, and geologic collections with the goal of making the Sonoran Desert accessible, understandable, and valued. Today, this approach can be most easily understood by noting that the Museum’s living animal collection contains 4,892 specimens of 242 species. Plants number 56,445 specimens of 1,100 taxa; mineral and fossil collections include 16,853 specimens. Represented in the living collections are 110 to 120 species considered to be of conservation concern. William H. Carr inspired and founded the Museum with the support of his friend and the Museum's initial benefactor, Arthur Pack, conservationist and editor of Nature Magazine.

Carr had earlier founded the Bear Mountain Trailside Museums and Nature Trails in New York State, which was affiliated with the American Museum of Natural History. It was at Bear Mountain that Carr developed his ideas of working with native plants and animals to create a regionally focused collection. Carr moved to Tucson in 1944 where he found “a gross lack of knowledge [about the desert] among the local populace as well as in the national mind.” He became acquainted with local naturalists, and then affiliated with the Pima County Park Committee. This connection eventually led to the establishment of the “Arizona-Sonora Desert Trailside Museum,” today called the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum. Carr faced “tremendous opposition” because the local knowledge of zoos was largely limited to the “terrible, little roadside snakefarms” which at that time were often seen along highways in the southwest. The site selected was 12 miles west of Tucson in the Tucson Mountains -- much further from the Tucson of 1952 -- with no paved roads and over Gates Pass. The site was mostly natural desert with a few buildings, known as the Mountain House, originally built by the Civilian Conservation Corps.

These structures are still in use today as part of the Museum's entry. The 98 acres of the Museum continue to be owned by Pima County and leased to the Museum, which is governed by an independent Board of 24 members. Carr's view and vision set the tone for displays as can be understood from his description of the first mammal enclosures that were designed, in his words, “as a balance between animal comfort, ability for the visitor to see the animals, and interiors that would be kept as much like the natural habitat of the animal as our scanty funds would permit.” Opening day was on Labor Day 1952, and the crowds came over the dirt road confirming Carr and Pack's hopes that the community was anxious to learn more about the Sonoran Desert. Months after the opening, the first Board of Trustees was formed including key people from the Tucson community selected by Carr, Pack, and William Woodin who was one of the first staff members and would eventually succeed Carr as director. Among the first Board members was Joseph Wood Krutch, the renowned naturalist author, who had retired to Tucson.

Another noteworthy founding Trustee was Roy Chapman Andrews, a noted paleontologist who was devoted to the science programs of the Museum. Today, the Museum’s science program continues to be funded in part by a fund set up by Andrews. One of the research legacies of the Museum that continues today is to tie research programs directly to educational interpretation so that visitors may gain a sense of scientific inquiry and the vital importance of ongoing science study to society. One of the first actions of Woodin and the new Board was to drop the word “Trailside” from the name since this continued to conjure images of a roadside attraction, not an institution committed to education and excellence in the care of its living collections. The Board also remained committed to showing its strong tie to Mexico by including Sonora, the name of the state of Mexico immediately south of Arizona, in its official corporate name. This symbolic act was profoundly important in underscoring and promoting relationships with the country of Mexico throughout the history of the Museum. These ties continue today in a host of ways: education programs that are conducted throughout the Sonoran Desert, research programs in all parts of the region, and staff exchanges with various Mexican institutions.

The early vision of having plants and animals from the region displayed together demonstrating their interdependence as the focus of the Museum was unusual enough, but Carr’s vision went further. He insisted that there be ethnology of the region displayed, and created a Papago House on the grounds. Today, ethnology and its interpretation continue to be strengths of the Museum with regular demonstrations, for example, by Tohono O'odham basketweavers surrounded by the native plants they use in their craft. Early on, particularly due to the work of Lew Walker, Associate Director, the Museum began to have direct impact on various conservation programs in Mexico. Continued to this day under the leadership of Richard Brusca, the greatest impact has been on the protection of the islands in the Sea of Cortez. An early innovation developed during the first years of Woodin's directorship was the famous Water Street — a series of displays about water usage and conservation in the desert. This effort, along with the beginning collections of regional minerals, underscored that the Museum’s mission includes interpretation of the entire natural history of the Sonoran Desert.

Today, the Museum has one of the finest collections of minerals from a single region to be found anywhere in the world, and geology enthusiasts from around the globe come every year to view these specimens. Carr resigned in the fall of 1954 after an illustrious career. His vision, drive, and enthusiasm set the Museum on the path that has never varied: integrated, innovative exhibits of all aspects of the natural history of the Sonoran Desert coupled with strong education programs. He attracted a small, but remarkably talented staff and supporters, including Woodin; Mervin Larson (also to become director); Walker; and Merritt Keasey, each of whom made important contributions to the institution. The Museum originally opened as a free facility, with no public tax support. Pack, through his foundation, had provided the sum of $200,000 to begin the Museum and pay the initial operating costs, but it was essential that a gate fee eventually be charged. In 1953 an admission charge of 50 cents was instituted. Today the admission charge for adults is substantially higher and there is still no direct tax support for the Museum.

The docent program, which has grown to become one of the hallmarks of the Museum and is recognized by our industry colleagues as one of the finest docent corps in existence today, began in the fall of 1972. The genesis was a small group of volunteers trained to take school children on tours of the grounds; today the docents are stationed around the grounds to provide live interpretation to all who visit. These docents undergo a rigorous 15-week training program and currently contribute more than 75,000 hours annually to the Museum. The Museum's other education programs have also developed over the years, most notably by Hal Gras who created a program to take live animals to schools and other venues. His program, begun in 1955, dubbed “The Desert Ark” by Joseph Wood Krutch, touched tens of thousands of people. Even though Gras retired from the Museum in 1985, many people today recall being inspired to learn about the desert from Gras. Through the generous support of the Red Acre Farm and Bert W. Martin Foundations the “Desert Ark” program has been reimplemented and is visiting children and schools throughout southern Arizona.

Woodin and Larson both made lasting contributions to the Museum. Woodin was Director for 17 years, and to date, the longest tenure for a director. He institutionalized and solidified the founding vision which he, of course, helped create as one of the first staff members hired by Carr. Under Woodin, the exhibits dramatically expanded including the Underground Tunnel (now called “Life Underground” and dedicated to Carr), Water Street USA, and the Sunset Desert Demonstration Garden to promote desert landscaping. Many people today credit the large amount of desert landscaping in Tucson to the Museum's natural and naturalistic landscape. Under Woodin the reputation of the Museum grew rapidly at both a national and international level. He was an important figure in zoos nationally, becoming one of the initial incorporators of the AAZPA, now the AZA (American Zoo & Aquarium Association). Larson, who succeeded Woodin as Director, was known, even before he was named to that position, as a great creative talent who worked tirelessly to design the most naturalistic exhibits possible.

He perfected techniques of creating artificial rockwork and was responsible for numerous exhibits including the beaver and otter exhibits, the desert bighorn sheep enclosure, cat canyon, and the cave, all of which stand today. This spirit of innovation in natural history displays continued during his tenure as director and until he left to found the Larson Company, which itself has had a profound impact on the entire world of zoo exhibitry. During the 1990’s a number of important renovation and infrastructure projects were completed, including a major expansion and landscaping of the public and staff parking lots, reconfiguration of the Museum's front entry patio, construction of new restaurant and special events complex, and extensive path and utility line work. Important new habitat exhibits were also completed including the Mountain Habitat, the Grassland, and the Hummingbird Aviary. In the Hummingbird Aviary visitors can see up to eight species of hummingbirds and these animals regularly bring off clutches in the enclosure. For its successful work on hummingbird propagation, the Museum received an AZA “Significant Achievement Award” in 1998. There were also several exhibits on the new Desert Loop Trail.

The Javelina and Coyote exhibits showcase a low-visibility, fencing developed by Museum staff. In addition, the ever-popular Ancient Arizona exhibit opened in 2000, and gives children the opportunity to dig for life-like fossils. In 2001, the Desert Museum launched the Arizona-Sonora Desert Museum Art Institute (School of Natural History Art), which fosters conservation through the arts. The Art Institute offers a variety of different programs, including youth art classes, workshops, and a nature illustration certificate program. In 2007 our newest exhibit “Life on the Rocks” was opened as well as two critically needed buildings, the Baldwin Education Building and a 300-seat indoor facility, the Warden Oasis Theater. These two new visitor areas provide our guests climate-controlled environments for lectures, animal presentations and formal classes as well as catering and rental spaces for symposia, conservation related meetings and social gatherings. In 2008 the Museum collaborated with Forever Young Treehouses of Burlington, Vermont and constructed the first fully accessible treehouse/discovery nature center in Arizona. Corporate support and personal gifts made the “Coati Kids Clubhouse” possible.

Years ago, the Museum developed a television series that has become known as “Desert Speaks” and was produced in cooperation with the local PBS affiliate (KUAT) and broadcast in 200 markets. Robert Edison, the Museum’s Executive Administrative Director served as co-producer. The Desert Museum is now over 50 years old and the commitment to the founding ideals is as strong as ever. The spirit of innovation and excellence of Carr, Pack, Woodin, and Larson live on with ever-improved exhibitry. This has been most recently evidenced by the creation of the “Desert Loop Trail,” a half-mile long loop through natural desert along which are large enclosures, made of Invisinet® developed by former Museum Director of Design, Ken Stockton, for animals such as javelina and coyote. This fine stainless steel netting is nearly invisible to visitors providing a greatly heightened sense of seeing animals in natural conditions and is now on the market available to other institutions. In 1998, the AZA presented the Museum a “Significant Achievement Award” for the Javelina Exhibit.

The Museum's education programs are rapidly expanding to include direct involvement with science curricula, and new outreach to rural areas of Arizona and Mexico. During Richard Daley’s tenure as Executive Director, his primary goals were two-fold: to maximize the impact of the Museum and to develop a more stable, long-term financial base. For many years, the Museum has been involved in scientific investigations at a modest level. Research and conservation programs are expanding significantly with emphasis on studies directly related to conservation of the Sonoran Desert. This work includes the Species Survival Plan work on the Mexican gray wolf and thick-billed parrot as well as cooperative work on the reintroduction programs for these species, and managing stud books for various taxa of endangered species. The research program, often involving outside scientists as well as staff, includes studies to discover the reason for the rapid decline of the Tarahumara frog, botanical field investigations especially in Mexico, population studies of Ironwood, and a major bi-national research program on migratory pollinators. Because of the continued and expanded loss of habitats and biodiversity in the Sonoran Desert, the Museum will play increasing roles in public policy issues related to desert conservation in the years ahead.

Increasingly the Museum tries to find ways to enlarge its reach, whether this is in school and community education programs in urban and rural areas of Arizona, Sonora, and Baja, through publications, or through electronic communication. At the same time, the Museum will continue to be at the forefront of developing exciting exhibits and interpretation for those who visit the Museum in order to ensure the greatest educational and inspirational impact. Following the tragedies of September 11, 2001the Museum experienced the same challenges of other like non-profit institutions, a downturn in tourism and financial contributions. The Board and senior staff decided to take an unusual approach and make a direct appeal to the Museum membership for greater support during the annual fund drive. The approach was well received and the Desert Museum witnessed the two best fundraising years in its history. This was also a period of new thinking for the Board and staff, as Richard Daley had left the Museum and Robert Edison was serving as interim director. After careful consideration it was decided that the Museum would implement a new executive leadership model (in many ways similar to that of the original management team) by appointing Robert Edison Executive Administrative Director, and Dr. Richard Brusca Executive Program Director.

This model has been in place since 2003, and has been extremely effective in meeting the needs of the institution. 2004 was selected as the year to announce an $18 million capital campaign to the public. Having raised over $12 million in dollars and pledges, the Museum felt ready to bring this important campaign to the public for the remaining support. This capital drive represents the single largest fund-raising initiative ever undertaken by the Museum, and endeavors to bring much needed support to the Museum's modest endowment as well as a new education building, jaguar/mountain lion habitat, and animal retirement facility. There has also been an increased focus on the role of public science education, as the Museum has more closely interfaced the education and science departments placing greater emphasis on the Sea of Cortez than in past. With a renewed focus on building the Museum’s reserves and endowments, the Treasure the Desert Campaign exceeded its intended goal of $18,000,000 and achieved $21,000,000 in gifts and grants. A significant portion of the Campaign’s revenues were directed to the long-term investment funds of the Museum.

In addition, two new much needed and desired public buildings, The Baldwin Education Building and the Warden Oasis Theater, were realized as a result of this most successful Capital Campaign — the largest to date in the Museum’s history. The Museum is forever grateful to the Campaign’s co-chairs Laura Sundt Eberly and Harry George for their remarkable efforts as volunteer leadership in this highly successful fundraising endeavor. In 2010, Robert Edison announced his plans to transition into retirement. Craig Ivanyi, who was serving as Deputy Executive Director, was advanced to the position of Executive Director and the new position of Executive Philanthropy Director was created and filled by Edison. It was the Board and Administration’s combined vision to have Ivanyi and Edison work as an executive leadership team with the plan of appointing a replacement for Edison upon his retirement. This team worked well together and many new initiatives were both designed and implemented over this period. They include, a significant expansion of the Art Institute and other arts related programs (including performing arts), the Warden Aquarium, the design for a new donor acknowledgement garden, and the beginning stages of new bird exhibits.

In addition, a new collaboration with the University of Arizona’s College of Science resulted in the first “Geo-tourism” initiative focused on the Sonoran Desert Region. This project now includes other nature-based organizations and Visit Tucson, our local destination marketing organization and convention bureau. The ASDM occupies a crucial niche in regional conservation and research efforts. Over its history, it has played a vital role in Mexican wolf recovery; protecting Islands in the Gulf of California and Tropical Deciduous Forest in southern Sonora, Mexico; direct salvage, augmentation, and reintroduction of at-risk reptiles and amphibians; developing a better understanding of venomous reptiles and their venoms; establishing regional coordination centers for invasive species management, as well as recognizing the importance of pollinators and documenting the impacts of climate change on mountain “sky island” biota. A number of prominent science and conservation leaders have stewarded the Museum’s research efforts over time, including Lew Walker, Richard Felger, Tom Van Devender, Gary Nabhan, and Richard Brusca. Today this work continues under the stewardship of several senior team members, including Debra Colodner, Craig Ivanyi and Stephane Poulin.

In 2014 Cree Zischke was recruited and appointed to the position of Director of Philanthropy, and the Museum embarked on its second $18,000,000 Capital drive Treasure the Desert Museum. Robert Edison was engaged to direct this new fundraising initiative, along with volunteer Campaign Chair, Patricia Engels. Working in tandem with Zischke, Edison and Engels continue this effort today with the plan of achieving the Campaign’s intended goals by mid-2017. As the Desert Museum plans for the future, great care has been given to design succession strategies for the Museum’s leadership. This planning is being conducted for both staff and board leadership roles. Our history has taught us that institutional knowledge and demonstrated commitment to both the Museum and the local community are of necessity for one to be successful in a leadership role. As a result, diligence in staff development and retention as well as Board recruitment and retention are of the highest priority, and will continue to be for the foreseeable future. Directors: William H. Woodin III, 1954-1971 Mervin W.

Larson, 1972-1976 Mojave Desert: World's Largest Protected Desert is Free - Traveling Mom Posted by Catherine Parker, National Parks TravelingMom | Mar 4, 2016 | 0 | Hidden along Intestates 15 and 40, east of Barstow, California, resides the largest protected desert in the world. President Obama recently designated three national monuments to preserve an additional 1.8 million acres of the Mojave Desert. The three new national monuments connect the Mojave National Preserve with the Joshua Tree National Park; offering protection for migrating desert animals. Joshua trees are the predominate feature of the Mojave Desert. Photo Credit: National Park Service From pinyon-pine speckled mountain peaks to valleys teeming with creosote bush, the Mojave National Preserve challenges my perception of the desert. As I drive through,the Mojave Desert is greener than its neighbor, Death Valley National Park in California. To the delight of my animal-loving kids, a jack rabbit’s gigantic ears give him away.

With its convenient location along Interstates 15 and 40, a first-time visitor can get a glimpse of the Mojave Desert as they drive through like we did on our recent trip. What’s New in the Mojave Desert President Obama designated three new national monuments in the Southern California desert to expand the area of protection. With this designation, critical ecosystems between existing parks are connected. With the Mojave National Preserve, the Joshua Tree National Park and the new national monuments, this is now the largest desert conservation area in the world. The new Castle Mountains National Monument extends the protection of the Mojave National Preserve . It’s surrounded on three sides by the Mojave preserve and borders the Nevada state line. The Kelso Depot, a Spanish Mission Revival-style depot opened in 1924 with rooms for train workers along with a billiards room, a restaurant and a telegraph office. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom The Sand to Snow National Monument is the most biodiverse area in Southern California. This monument encompasses Mt. San Gorgonio, the tallest mountain in Southern California, to the valley floor of the Sonoran Desert.

The Mojave Trails National Monument connects the land between the Mojave National Preserve to the north and the Joshua Tree National Park to the south. This is the largest new monument and encompasses 1.6 million acres to allow wildlife more protection during migration. History of Mojave National Preserve The California Desert Protection Act of 1994 established the Mojave National Preserve. At the same time the act also expanded and upgraded Death Valley and Joshua Tree national monuments into national parks. North America has four deserts. The Mojave Desert is the transitional desert landscape in-between the Great Basin Desert, the high desert, to the north and the Sonoran Desert, the low desert, to the south. The remaining desert is the Chihuahua Desert, located near Big Bend National Park . Add a drive to your Southern California road trip itinerary. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom The most dominant feature of the Mojave Desert is the Joshua tree, a species of yucca and not a tree at all. It’s a kid-pleasing favorite for its comical appearance and the best place to find them is near Cima Dome.

What You Can Do in 2 hours Mojave National Preserve is conveniently located between two major interstates, making it an easy side trip when traveling to or from the Los Angeles area. Drive across the Mojave National Preserve using Kelbaker Road or Cima Road to get an appreciation for the Mojave Desert. A stop at the Kelso Depot is a must for the train lovers in your family. Hike the Lake Tuendeu Nature Trail located off of Zzyzx Road on the western edge of the preserve, an easy .25 mile walk for younger kids. To see the highest concentration of Joshua trees in the world, hike the Tuetonic Peak Trail, it’s a 3-mile roundtrip hike that starts 12 miles south of Interstate 15 on Cima Road. Kids at Mojave National Preserve My kids love animals and animal spotting in the Mojave National Preserve is easier than most wooded parks. Jack rabbits and coyotes are the easiest to spot along the paved roads in Mojave. Animal spotting is a great family activity that keeps my kids looking out the windows instead of at their screens. Celebrate the National Park Centennial in 2016 with your family. Parks across the country have special events planned all year.

Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom Stop off at the Kelso Depot Visitors Center. It has an interpretive area, restrooms and water fountains in a restored railroad depot. I pick up the free Junior Ranger booklets that my kids complete on the counter of the old diner located inside. Kelso Depot In 1905, Union Pacific completed the Salt Lake-Los Angeles train route. To get LA-bound trains up the two-percent grade of the Cima Summit, helper engines were required. The Kelso Depot provided a service area for Union Pacific and the vital water needed for steam engines. Kelso saw rapid growth over the next few decades as train workers and later miners moved to the area. Union Pacific wanted a depot that rivaled Santa Fe Railroad’s depots, like the Fred Harvey properties of the Southwest. Make the Junior Ranger program part of your family’s national park adventure. My kids complete their booklets inside of the Kelso Depot. Photo Credit: Catherine Parker / National Parks TravelingMom Union Pacific closed their operations at the depot in 1985 as it wasn’t vital to operations. A conversation group and later the National Park Service bought and renovated the building.

The Kelso Depot houses the Mojave National Preserve Visitors Center (free, open Thursday through Monday from 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.). We tour the exhibits to get a further understanding of the desert and complete the requirements of the Junior Ranger booklet. Getting to the Mojave National Preserve The Mojave National Preserve is located between Interstates 15 and 40 in Southern California. Baker, California, is the nearest town with services like gas and lodging, located next to the preserve. The closest airport is in Las Vegas, Nevada, 90 miles away. The Mojave National Preserve is approximately 200 miles east of Los Angeles. Getting Around the Mojave National Preserve The Mojave National Preserve is free and open 365-days a year and 24-hours a day. There are a handful of paved roads, Kelbaker Road and Kelso-Cima Road are the major routes. Though they are sun-baked and can be rough in areas. The Mojave National Preserve has three visitors centers though the days of operation are limited. They are located at the Kelso Depot, Hole-in-the-Wall and the Mojave National Preserve Headquarters in Barstow.

Tips from a Traveling Mom: Kelbaker Road will be closed from March 28, 2016 to the end of April, 2016. Don’t rely on technology for directions in the Mojave National Preserve, pick up a map at the Visitors Center in Kelso or park headquarters in Barstow. Carry extra water year-round. Flat tires are common on unpaved roads, be prepared. Many of the roads within the Mojave Preserve are four-wheel drive roads, unsuitable for passenger cars. Lodging isn’t available inside of Mojave Preserve but available in nearby towns. There are two campgrounds and one equestrian campground within the preserve’s boundaries. There are three varieties of rattlesnakes in Mojave, all are poisonous. Which national park is your favorite? Share with us in the comment section below. Share:

Question: The Sonoran Desert, one of the world's largest, is situated in which country?
Answer: UNITED STATES OF AMERICA